Wellington needs more jobs

Wellington’s 7.1 percent unemployment rate is one of the highest for cities in New Zealand and well above the national average of 6.7 percent, says mayoral candidate John Morrison. (Source: Statistics New Zealand Household Labour Force survey, June 2013.)

“This clearly demonstrates that Wellington has been stagnating for the past three years. We need decisive leadership to regain our confidence, stimulate business and get people believing and investing in the city and its businesses again.

“We're the Capital city, and we're a great city, but we need to get our economy going again, to provide jobs for all ages and skill levels.”

Morrison said some of his mayoral competitors were “sniffing” at the jobs being provided by CallActive, which he brought to Wellington.

They aim to employ 1500 to 2000 people within a few years, which will deliver an annual payroll of $60 to $70 milli0n exclusively for the Wellington economy and pay the living wage.

“It helps students pay their way during their studies and CallActive has a special policy to train and restore the confidence for people wanting to return to the workforce,” he said.

Employment is a national issue but it is top of my priority list for a leadership summit I would hold immediately if I’m elected as mayor.

Local authorities can be proactive and other areas to stimulate the local economy include:

· Wherever feasible the new Council will give preference to local suppliers and contractors, rather than jobbing the work out to companies in Auckland or Christchurch

· Get progress on the Ngauranga to Airport, second Mt Victoria tunnel and the airport extension to create 2000 new jobs and pump $800 million into the Capital

· Re-energise the CBD to create vibrancy and jobs

· Ensure equality for all well-run licensed venues on the issues of opening hours

· Identify relevant education and career skills required by local businesses to ensure our people have compatible qualifications

· Grow arts, cultural and sporting events to bring more people to Wellington creating more jobs

· Actively support and promote tourism industry

· Rebuild relationship with Central Government, our biggest employer, to ensure that public services jobs remain in Wellington
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